Anisa Mehditag:blog.nj.com,2015:/njv_anisa_mehdi/18752015-01-20T17:31:40ZNJ Voices: Opinions from New JerseyMovable Type Enterprise 4.29-advancePilgrims in Modern Mecca: A Test of Faithtag:blog.nj.com,2014:/njv_anisa_mehdi/1875.141983012014-10-16T14:11:24Z2014-10-15T17:20:24ZHowever, for the pilgrim, the experience may not be in vain. The distraction of new skyscrapers, desecration of archaeological sites and tragic elimination of low-cost hotel rooms near the holy precincts does not necessarily preclude the possibility of having a soaring spiritual transformation.Anisa Mehdi/NJ Voiceshttp://connect.nj.com/user/Ammehdi/index.html
However, for the pilgrim, the experience may not be in vain. The distraction of new skyscrapers, desecration of archaeological sites and tragic elimination of low-cost hotel rooms near the holy precincts does not necessarily preclude the possibility of having a soaring spiritual transformation.
Till all success be noblenesstag:blog.nj.com,2015:/njv_anisa_mehdi/1875.150046332015-01-20T17:14:43Z2015-01-20T17:31:40ZIf you are placed in physical danger because of your ethnicity, religion or national origin: Call the police (dial 911 in most communities).Anisa Mehdi/NJ Voiceshttp://connect.nj.com/user/Ammehdi/index.html
If you are placed in physical danger because of your ethnicity, religion or national origin: Call the police (dial 911 in most communities).
Black Ribbon in the Balsam--An Interfaith Christmas Storytag:blog.nj.com,2014:/njv_anisa_mehdi/1875.148097492014-12-22T17:12:07Z2014-12-22T19:07:03ZLike the other dads, mine commuted to Manhattan. But unlike them, he had an accent and came from a place not many people had heard of back then: Baghdad, Iraq. Anisa Mehdi/NJ Voiceshttp://connect.nj.com/user/Ammehdi/index.html
Like the other dads, mine commuted to Manhattan. But unlike them, he had an accent and came from a place not many people had heard of back then: Baghdad, Iraq.
My letter NOT published by the NY Timestag:blog.nj.com,2014:/njv_anisa_mehdi/1875.141979942014-10-15T16:45:26Z2014-10-15T16:56:51ZMuhammad the prophet encouraged consensual government, negotiated treaties with neighbor and foe alike, and showed respect for people of other faiths.Anisa Mehdi/NJ Voiceshttp://connect.nj.com/user/Ammehdi/index.html
Muhammad the prophet encouraged consensual government, negotiated treaties with neighbor and foe alike, and showed respect for people of other faiths.
Dear Mr. President, regarding your Estonia speech ...tag:blog.nj.com,2014:/njv_anisa_mehdi/1875.138143992014-09-03T23:26:34Z2014-09-04T11:15:39Z "Borders cannot be redrawn at the barrel of a gun."Anisa Mehdi/NJ Voiceshttp://connect.nj.com/user/Ammehdi/index.html
"Borders cannot be redrawn at the barrel of a gun."
Murder by Execution in Gazatag:blog.nj.com,2014:/njv_anisa_mehdi/1875.137349932014-08-25T15:26:20Z2014-08-25T19:26:07ZA chilling photograph: masked gunmen readying hooded captives for execution against a cracking white wall. Fear and savagery ooze through.
Anisa Mehdi/NJ Voiceshttp://connect.nj.com/user/Ammehdi/index.html
A chilling photograph: masked gunmen readying hooded captives for execution against a cracking white wall. Fear and savagery ooze through.
"Islamic State"? Not a chance.tag:blog.nj.com,2014:/njv_anisa_mehdi/1875.135240762014-07-30T17:00:47Z2014-07-30T18:25:21ZThe marauding militants currently destroying what was left of my father's homeland would run with their tails between their legs if they knew the true nature of a Caliphate.Anisa Mehdi/NJ Voiceshttp://connect.nj.com/user/Ammehdi/index.html
The marauding militants currently destroying what was left of my father's homeland would run with their tails between their legs if they knew the true nature of a Caliphate.
Third lesson: make journeys to see, to know, to healtag:blog.nj.com,2014:/njv_anisa_mehdi/1875.130903262014-06-02T19:22:11Z2014-06-02T20:11:16ZABC News corespondent Christiane Amanpour calls it "an unprecedented initiative," bringing cultural tourism and economic development to this region.Anisa Mehdi/NJ Voiceshttp://connect.nj.com/user/Ammehdi/index.html
ABC News corespondent Christiane Amanpour calls it "an unprecedented initiative," bringing cultural tourism and economic development to this region.
Jesus lesson number two on the Abraham Pathtag:blog.nj.com,2014:/njv_anisa_mehdi/1875.130352682014-05-29T14:45:00Z2014-05-29T14:50:42ZToday, the mostly Muslim residents of Burqin take impeccable care of the Church of the 10 Lepers -- one of the most sacred sites in Christian tradition.Anisa Mehdi/NJ Voiceshttp://connect.nj.com/user/Ammehdi/index.html
Today, the mostly Muslim residents of Burqin take impeccable care of the Church of the 10 Lepers -- one of the most sacred sites in Christian tradition.
Learning about Jesus on the Abraham Pathtag:blog.nj.com,2014:/njv_anisa_mehdi/1875.129939172014-05-23T17:46:13Z2014-05-23T17:47:49ZThere came a woman of Samaria to draw water, writes John in the Bible, Chapter 4 Verse 2. She offered Jesus water from the well of Jacob. Jesus accepted. Culture clash #1: she was Samaritan and he was a Jew.Anisa Mehdi/NJ Voiceshttp://connect.nj.com/user/Ammehdi/index.html
There came a woman of Samaria to draw water, writes John in the Bible, Chapter 4 Verse 2. She offered Jesus water from the well of Jacob. Jesus accepted. Culture clash #1: she was Samaritan and he was a Jew.
Bronze medal bloggertag:blog.nj.com,2014:/njv_anisa_mehdi/1875.129932962014-05-22T16:43:31Z2014-05-22T17:18:54ZCurrent events reporting often confuses faith, culture, and politics. Anisa Mehdi helps sort them out.Anisa Mehdi/NJ Voiceshttp://connect.nj.com/user/Ammehdi/index.html
Current events reporting often confuses faith, culture, and politics. Anisa Mehdi helps sort them out.
Spying on NJ Muslims? Bring it on.tag:blog.nj.com,2014:/njv_anisa_mehdi/1875.122574402014-02-21T16:00:33Z2014-02-21T20:58:43ZThat puts American Muslims in a category of honorable martyrs of the First Amendment. It means that we, like so many others, are inextricably part of the crucible of inquiry that makes this a great nation; one that tests, questions, revisits, fails and finally succeeds in realizing who we are and for what we stand. Anisa Mehdi/NJ Voiceshttp://connect.nj.com/user/Ammehdi/index.html
That puts American Muslims in a category of honorable martyrs of the First Amendment. It means that we, like so many others, are inextricably part of the crucible of inquiry that makes this a great nation; one that tests, questions, revisits, fails and finally succeeds in realizing who we are and for what we stand.
Fasting and Fighting: A Ramadan Reflection (Part (II)tag:blog.nj.com,2013:/njv_anisa_mehdi//1875.109813442013-07-30T15:00:58Z2013-07-31T19:26:03ZThey'll tell you that 4,000 years ago Ibrahim el Khalil / Abraham, the Friend of God, wandered through the tormented region we now call "the Middle East," leavening hospitality wherever he went. Anisa Mehdi/NJ Voiceshttp://connect.nj.com/user/Ammehdi/index.html
They'll tell you that 4,000 years ago Ibrahim el Khalil / Abraham, the Friend of God, wandered through the tormented region we now call "the Middle East," leavening hospitality wherever he went.
Fasting and Fighting: A Ramadan Reflection (Part I)tag:blog.nj.com,2013:/njv_anisa_mehdi//1875.109807542013-07-29T02:10:45Z2013-07-29T02:59:34ZRamadan is a practice that goes far beyond a physical fast. Its success is measured not by abstaining from food during daylight from new moon to new moon, but rather by indulging in new heights of dignity and respect for others. That includes not fighting.
Anisa Mehdi/NJ Voiceshttp://connect.nj.com/user/Ammehdi/index.html
Ramadan is a practice that goes far beyond a physical fast. Its success is measured not by abstaining from food during daylight from new moon to new moon, but rather by indulging in new heights of dignity and respect for others. That includes not fighting.
Forced feeding during the fasttag:blog.nj.com,2013:/njv_anisa_mehdi//1875.108981892013-07-12T15:30:53Z2013-07-12T20:07:47Z Because it's Ramadan, Islam's month of fasting from dawn until dusk, the US government has kindly determined to force feed them only after sunset and before dawn to show respect for the sacred rite of fasting. R U kidding me?Anisa Mehdi/NJ Voiceshttp://connect.nj.com/user/Ammehdi/index.html
Because it's Ramadan, Islam's month of fasting from dawn until dusk, the US government has kindly determined to force feed them only after sunset and before dawn to show respect for the sacred rite of fasting. R U kidding me?
Rush Holt addresses American Arabs in Washington DCtag:blog.nj.com,2013:/njv_anisa_mehdi//1875.107537012013-06-14T22:35:02Z2013-06-17T20:17:03ZCongressman Rush Holt (D, 12) spoke in a Capitol Hill dining hall packed with Arab Americans on Thursday, June 13.Anisa Mehdi/NJ Voiceshttp://connect.nj.com/user/Ammehdi/index.html
Congressman Rush Holt (D, 12) spoke in a Capitol Hill dining hall packed with Arab Americans on Thursday, June 13.
Just because they're foreign born doesn't mean the issue is internationaltag:blog.nj.com,2013:/njv_anisa_mehdi//1875.103867142013-04-19T12:43:57Z2013-04-19T13:57:03ZAnisa Mehdi/NJ Voiceshttp://connect.nj.com/user/Ammehdi/index.htmlTo decrease gun violence, raise the price on ammotag:blog.nj.com,2013:/njv_anisa_mehdi//1875.98397142013-01-23T06:34:14Z2013-01-23T06:39:45ZIf each bullet cost $5000 drive-by shootings and in-home killings could well become a thing of the past. Anisa Mehdi/NJ Voiceshttp://connect.nj.com/user/Ammehdi/index.html
If each bullet cost $5000 drive-by shootings and in-home killings could well become a thing of the past.
Aleppo, Abraham and the Eid (entry delayed due to storm)tag:blog.nj.com,2012:/njv_anisa_mehdi//1875.94001152012-11-09T17:41:08Z2012-11-09T18:31:08Z At this time of Eid al Adha, a celebration of redemption, Aleppo's people deserve the chance to remember a heritage of generosity and trust. And in the quiet of the promised cease fire, they may teach their children the stories of a man who epitomized hospitality and compassion, and who left an indelible mark on their culture.Anisa Mehdi/NJ Voiceshttp://connect.nj.com/user/Ammehdi/index.html
At this time of Eid al Adha, a celebration of redemption, Aleppo's people deserve the chance to remember a heritage of generosity and trust. And in the quiet of the promised cease fire, they may teach their children the stories of a man who epitomized hospitality and compassion, and who left an indelible mark on their culture.
Medical emergencies continue in Palestinetag:blog.nj.com,2012:/njv_anisa_mehdi//1875.81123412012-04-15T19:58:57Z2012-04-18T14:52:52ZThere are always people giving their time and resources for good. The effort I’m singling out today is the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund. This non-political non-profit is dedicated to assuaging the medical and humanitarian crisis facing children in the Middle East. Anisa Mehdi/NJ Voiceshttp://connect.nj.com/user/Ammehdi/index.html
There are always people giving their time and resources for good. The effort I’m singling out today is the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund. This non-political non-profit is dedicated to assuaging the medical and humanitarian crisis facing children in the Middle East.
Iran, Israel duke it out at the Oscarstag:blog.nj.com,2012:/njv_anisa_mehdi//1875.78092372012-02-27T14:47:19Z2012-02-27T20:29:36ZMoments like these lift the arts to a level of diplomatic potential. How much more peace might be possible globally if nations enjoyed the kind of healthy challenge belted out in Irving Berlin's "Annie Get Your Gun": "Anything you can do I can do better." Anisa Mehdi/NJ Voiceshttp://connect.nj.com/user/Ammehdi/index.html
Moments like these lift the arts to a level of diplomatic potential. How much more peace might be possible globally if nations enjoyed the kind of healthy challenge belted out in Irving Berlin's "Annie Get Your Gun": "Anything you can do I can do better."